Britain’s new woodlands depend on care long after planting

More than 500,000 trees have been planted with help from woodlands.co.uk, but the work of creating woodland continues long after planting day. Two owners, who have planted around 5,000 trees between them, are among those caring for new habitats across Britain.

Their stories are being highlighted ahead of National Tree Week, which runs from 21–29 November 2026. In North Devon, Phil has planted around 2,000 trees to turn a meadow into young woodland. He is committed to establishing a habitat that will continue to develop and support wildlife for generations.

Near Bristol, retired GP Matthew has planted 3,000 native broadleaf trees, including oak, birch, hazel and hawthorn, at Stanford Meadow (5 acres), near Clandown. He began transforming the former field after retiring in 2023, with support from the Forest of Avon Trust and a Defra-funded grant.

Many of Matthew’s trees have since grown to more than 2.5 metres tall, and the land is attracting a growing variety of wildlife. He has installed owl boxes and used cameras to capture wildlife activity. He still visits regularly, often cycling around 20km from Bristol to maintain the site.

The woodland has become more than an environmental project for Matthew: it is a place to unwind and enjoy nature. “It’s really comforting… Just pottering around, having a coffee in the shelter we built, it’s my escape from city life. I thought I might sell it once the trees matured, but now I can’t imagine parting with it. I’m even thinking about planting another field.”

Planting is only the start of the work. Young trees need protection from deer and rabbits, competing vegetation must be controlled, failed trees may need replacing and owners need to encourage wildlife to thrive.

Anton Baskerville from woodlands.co.uk said creating woodland involved more than the initial excitement of planting. “Choosing the right species, understanding the land and giving young trees the care they need in their early years are all important, but so too is the personal connection that develops between owners and their woodland.”

Woodlands.co.uk says it has helped plant more than 500,000 trees through its own initiatives and the efforts of woodland owners. The company has spent more than three decades helping people realise their ambitions to own and care for woodland, and offers Tree Planting Land opportunities and ongoing support to owners.

Phil and Matthew are among the people creating new woodland by planting trees and continuing to care for them as they grow.